Three Kings?
A Different Route Home: Going All In for Jesus
Every January, we see it happen. Gyms overflow with fresh-faced members. Refrigerators suddenly contain mysterious green leafy things. Bible apps light up with ambitious reading plans. We go all in on something new, determined that this year will be different.
Yet statistics tell a sobering story: 88% of New Year's resolutions fail by February. Only 10% make it all the way through. Life happens. That healthy lunch gets derailed by a friend's invitation to your favorite restaurant. One missed day of Bible reading becomes two, then three. Before you know it, you're back to your old patterns.
But here's the encouraging truth: for that 10% who persevere, powerful transformation occurs. And when it comes to following Jesus, going all in changes everything.
The Journey of the Magi
The familiar Christmas carol tells us about "three kings of Orient," but the reality is far more intriguing. These weren't kings at all. They were Magi—wise men from Persia, part of a priestly caste who studied the stars and advised rulers. They practiced a monotheistic religion that emphasized ethical living and looked to the heavens for divine guidance.
When they noticed an unusual star, these experts knew something extraordinary was happening. Matthew 2:2 records their question upon arriving in Jerusalem: "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Notice the timing. The star appeared when Jesus was born, but the Magi's journey took time—possibly up to two years. This wasn't a quick trip to the stable alongside the shepherds. This was a long, arduous journey requiring commitment, resources, and unwavering faith.
These Gentile scholars became the first non-Jews to seek Jesus, traveling hundreds of miles based on astronomical observation and spiritual conviction. They went all in.
The False King and the True King
Their arrival disturbed King Herod, and understandably so. Herod was an imposter—half-Jewish, half-Edomite, appointed by the Roman Senate rather than by God. True kings answer only to God; Herod answered to Rome. He knew he was illegitimate, and this knowledge filled him with insecurity and rage.
When Herod heard about a newborn "King of the Jews," his response revealed his character. He pretended to want to worship this child while secretly plotting murder. His deception would later lead to the horrific slaughter of all boys two years old and under in Bethlehem.
The contrast couldn't be starker. Herod clung to earthly power through violence and manipulation. Jesus, the true King, would later declare, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). One king built his throne on fear; the other would establish an eternal kingdom through sacrificial love.
Gifts for the King of Kings
When the Magi finally found Jesus, their response was immediate and profound: they were overjoyed, they worshiped, and they presented costly gifts. Each gift carried deep significance.
Gold was the gift for a king—not the pretender in Jerusalem, but the genuine King of Kings. The Magi recognized royalty that transcended earthly thrones. Revelation describes Jesus as having written on His robe: "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Frankincense was offered to priests, used in worship and sacred ceremonies. Jesus would become our Great High Priest, the ultimate intercessor between God and humanity. Hebrews 4:14 proclaims, "Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
Myrrh was a burial spice, foreshadowing death. This gift acknowledged that Jesus came to die. Romans 5:8 tells us, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Later, Nicodemus would bring 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus' body for burial—three times the normal amount, befitting a king.
But the tomb wouldn't hold Him. The myrrh anointed a body that would rise again, conquering death forever.
Taking a Different Route
After their encounter with Jesus, the Magi received a divine warning in a dream: don't return to Herod. Take a different route home.
This presented a challenge. The familiar path would be easier—they knew the terrain, the dangers, where to find water and shelter. A new route meant facing the unknown, possibly adding days to their journey, potentially encountering new risks.
Yet they didn't hesitate. Meeting Jesus changed them so profoundly that they couldn't go back the same way they came.
Isn't that the truth for all of us? When we truly encounter Jesus, we cannot return to life as usual. We must take a different route.
What Does Going All In Look Like?
Going all in for Jesus isn't about a single dramatic moment or perfect execution of a yearly plan. The transformational event already occurred—at the cross and the empty tomb. What remains is our daily response.
Transformation happens through faithful, day-by-day, step-by-step commitment. It's found in moments of insight when Scripture suddenly speaks to our situation. It's in confession when we acknowledge we've wandered off course. It's in repentance, literally turning back toward God. It's in faith that trusts even when the path ahead is unclear.
The Magi's journey teaches us several truths about going all in:
Expect the journey to take time. Spiritual maturity isn't instant. Like the Magi's two-year trek, growth requires patience and persistence.
Be willing to face the unknown. Following Jesus means leaving comfortable patterns and familiar routes. It means trusting Him when the way forward isn't clear.
Let Jesus change your direction. The Magi prioritized obedience to God over their own convenience. What areas of your life need a new route in 2026?
Bring your best gifts. The Magi didn't bring leftovers or second-rate offerings. They presented their treasures. What are you holding back from Jesus?
Your Different Route
As a new year begins, the question isn't just for those hearing about Jesus for the first time. It's for all of us who claim to follow Him: Will you go all in for Jesus?
If your answer is yes, how will your route look different this year? What patterns need changing? What gifts need offering? What comfortable paths need abandoning for the sake of obedience?
The Magi couldn't go back the same way after meeting Jesus. Neither can we. The King of Kings deserves nothing less than our wholehearted devotion, our daily faithfulness, and our willingness to take whatever route He directs—even when it's longer, harder, or unfamiliar.
The journey may be challenging, but the destination is sure. We follow not a false king clinging to temporary power, but the eternal King who conquered death itself. That changes everything about how we travel home.
Every January, we see it happen. Gyms overflow with fresh-faced members. Refrigerators suddenly contain mysterious green leafy things. Bible apps light up with ambitious reading plans. We go all in on something new, determined that this year will be different.
Yet statistics tell a sobering story: 88% of New Year's resolutions fail by February. Only 10% make it all the way through. Life happens. That healthy lunch gets derailed by a friend's invitation to your favorite restaurant. One missed day of Bible reading becomes two, then three. Before you know it, you're back to your old patterns.
But here's the encouraging truth: for that 10% who persevere, powerful transformation occurs. And when it comes to following Jesus, going all in changes everything.
The Journey of the Magi
The familiar Christmas carol tells us about "three kings of Orient," but the reality is far more intriguing. These weren't kings at all. They were Magi—wise men from Persia, part of a priestly caste who studied the stars and advised rulers. They practiced a monotheistic religion that emphasized ethical living and looked to the heavens for divine guidance.
When they noticed an unusual star, these experts knew something extraordinary was happening. Matthew 2:2 records their question upon arriving in Jerusalem: "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Notice the timing. The star appeared when Jesus was born, but the Magi's journey took time—possibly up to two years. This wasn't a quick trip to the stable alongside the shepherds. This was a long, arduous journey requiring commitment, resources, and unwavering faith.
These Gentile scholars became the first non-Jews to seek Jesus, traveling hundreds of miles based on astronomical observation and spiritual conviction. They went all in.
The False King and the True King
Their arrival disturbed King Herod, and understandably so. Herod was an imposter—half-Jewish, half-Edomite, appointed by the Roman Senate rather than by God. True kings answer only to God; Herod answered to Rome. He knew he was illegitimate, and this knowledge filled him with insecurity and rage.
When Herod heard about a newborn "King of the Jews," his response revealed his character. He pretended to want to worship this child while secretly plotting murder. His deception would later lead to the horrific slaughter of all boys two years old and under in Bethlehem.
The contrast couldn't be starker. Herod clung to earthly power through violence and manipulation. Jesus, the true King, would later declare, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). One king built his throne on fear; the other would establish an eternal kingdom through sacrificial love.
Gifts for the King of Kings
When the Magi finally found Jesus, their response was immediate and profound: they were overjoyed, they worshiped, and they presented costly gifts. Each gift carried deep significance.
Gold was the gift for a king—not the pretender in Jerusalem, but the genuine King of Kings. The Magi recognized royalty that transcended earthly thrones. Revelation describes Jesus as having written on His robe: "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Frankincense was offered to priests, used in worship and sacred ceremonies. Jesus would become our Great High Priest, the ultimate intercessor between God and humanity. Hebrews 4:14 proclaims, "Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
Myrrh was a burial spice, foreshadowing death. This gift acknowledged that Jesus came to die. Romans 5:8 tells us, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Later, Nicodemus would bring 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus' body for burial—three times the normal amount, befitting a king.
But the tomb wouldn't hold Him. The myrrh anointed a body that would rise again, conquering death forever.
Taking a Different Route
After their encounter with Jesus, the Magi received a divine warning in a dream: don't return to Herod. Take a different route home.
This presented a challenge. The familiar path would be easier—they knew the terrain, the dangers, where to find water and shelter. A new route meant facing the unknown, possibly adding days to their journey, potentially encountering new risks.
Yet they didn't hesitate. Meeting Jesus changed them so profoundly that they couldn't go back the same way they came.
Isn't that the truth for all of us? When we truly encounter Jesus, we cannot return to life as usual. We must take a different route.
What Does Going All In Look Like?
Going all in for Jesus isn't about a single dramatic moment or perfect execution of a yearly plan. The transformational event already occurred—at the cross and the empty tomb. What remains is our daily response.
Transformation happens through faithful, day-by-day, step-by-step commitment. It's found in moments of insight when Scripture suddenly speaks to our situation. It's in confession when we acknowledge we've wandered off course. It's in repentance, literally turning back toward God. It's in faith that trusts even when the path ahead is unclear.
The Magi's journey teaches us several truths about going all in:
Expect the journey to take time. Spiritual maturity isn't instant. Like the Magi's two-year trek, growth requires patience and persistence.
Be willing to face the unknown. Following Jesus means leaving comfortable patterns and familiar routes. It means trusting Him when the way forward isn't clear.
Let Jesus change your direction. The Magi prioritized obedience to God over their own convenience. What areas of your life need a new route in 2026?
Bring your best gifts. The Magi didn't bring leftovers or second-rate offerings. They presented their treasures. What are you holding back from Jesus?
Your Different Route
As a new year begins, the question isn't just for those hearing about Jesus for the first time. It's for all of us who claim to follow Him: Will you go all in for Jesus?
If your answer is yes, how will your route look different this year? What patterns need changing? What gifts need offering? What comfortable paths need abandoning for the sake of obedience?
The Magi couldn't go back the same way after meeting Jesus. Neither can we. The King of Kings deserves nothing less than our wholehearted devotion, our daily faithfulness, and our willingness to take whatever route He directs—even when it's longer, harder, or unfamiliar.
The journey may be challenging, but the destination is sure. We follow not a false king clinging to temporary power, but the eternal King who conquered death itself. That changes everything about how we travel home.
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